The Messenger of Allah ﷺ gave gifts to a group of men while Saad was sitting there. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ left out one man whom I considered the most impressive of them.I said, "Messenger of Allah, why have you overlooked so-and-so? By Allah, I truly see him as a believer."He replied, "Or a Muslim?"I remained silent for a moment, but then what I knew of the man overcame me, and I repeated my words. I said, "Why have you overlooked so-and-so? By Allah, I truly see him as a believer."He replied, "Or a Muslim?"Then what I knew of the man overcame me again, and I repeated my words, and the Messenger of Allah ﷺ repeated his. Then he said, "Saad, I sometimes give to a man while another, whom I have not given to, is dearer to me than him, out of fear that Allah might cast him face-down into the Fire."
أن رسول الله ﷺ أعطى رهطا، وسعد جالس، فترك رسول الله ﷺ رجلا، هو أعجبهم إلي، فقلت: يا رسول الله، ما لك عن فلان فوالله إني لأراه مؤمنا؟ فقال: أو مسلما؟ فسكت قليلا، ثم غلبني ما أعلم منه، فعدت لمقالتي، فقلت: ما لك عن فلان، فوالله إني لأراه مؤمنا؟ فقال: أو مسلما؟ ثم غلبني ما أعلم منه، فعدت لمقالتي، وعاد رسول الله ﷺ، ثم قال: يا سعد، إني لأعطي الرجل وغيره أحب إلي منه، خشية أن يكبه الله في النار.